Ocon: "I have beaten Max Verstappen many times"

Esteban Ocon has enjoyed an impressive start to his 2017 campaign, scoring points in every single race to date, including a seventh-place finish in Russia.

The 20-year-old Force India driver, he made his Grand Prix debut last season with Manor in Belgium, is no flash in the pan. His approach is based on solid consistency as he learns the ropes of F1 while exuding maturity and discernment which almost contradict his youth.

Ocon's ambitions are partly fueled by comparing himself to Max Verstappen, F1's latest prodigy and a young man the Frenchman has gone up against in the past, and beaten, when Oocn clinched the European F1 Championship in 2014.

"I don’t have to be shy against him," Ocon told Reuters.

"I was not the only one to beat him. I won the F3 title, (Tom) Blomqvist finished second and Max was third. I have beaten him many times.

"He’s ahead now because he’s been in F1 longer than me and I’m coming there."

As he rose through the ranks in the junior categories, Ocon was inspired by his role model, Michael Schumacher.

Interestingly, he has developed a friendly relationship with the seven time world champion's son Mick, who races this in the competitive Euro F1 series.

"I never talked to Michael but I feel like when I talk to him (Mick), I talk to Michael," he said.

"I’ve looked at most of his (Schumacher's) races... I think I have learned stuff from him but I don’t compare myself to him. I have a different driving style and am probably different as well.

"I have always been for Michael. I grew up with his helmet. In karting I was racing with his helmet, full red.

"Just my name instead of Michael up there... the colour has changed but the design is the same and it will stay like this."

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